Agenda item

Kilburn Brent Connects Meeting

Minutes and Action Log

1

Soap Box – Chaired by Cllr J Fraser

Cllr Gbajumo introduced the Soap Box section of the meeting setting out the ground rules and time allocated for each speaker.

Key points in section

·        A representative Officer from Camden Council informed the meeting of an inter-borough project in conjunction with Brent and Westminster Councils, called ‘One Kilburn’. The project was seeking to bring organisations, residents, and the community together with the intention of making Kilburn a more welcoming area and making Kilburn a source of pride for residents and visitors. The website was referenced as being available at: https://onekilburn.commonplace.is/project-team

·        A resident from South Kilburn updated the meeting about a design project which was currently ongoing, to create a public mural in Kilburn. They then informed the meeting work that the Princess Road Residents Association was undertaking to make the area cleaner, including voluntary litter picking and community events, focused on cultivating empowerment of residents in the area.

Actions

-        Community engagement team to reach out to officer from Camden regarding presenting at next meeting

-        Community engagement to offer wider support and signposting to Princess Road Resident Association

2

VAWG PC Cynthia Ziman and Nisha Das, Violence and Vulnerability Coordinator

The meeting received a presentation covering the issue of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Brent Council’s strategy in tackling VAWG in the borough.

It was updated that during the period from November 2022 to January 2023 there had been forty-six cases of Violence Against Women and Girls reported. Thirty of these cases were reported in the Queens Park area of the borough, with twenty-three reported in Brondesbury. The main area that the cases had been reported were from the Kilburn High Road area.

Following this presentation, Nisha Das gave an overview of what Brent Council is doing to tackle VAWG in the borough. They explained that partnership working was ongoing with the police, including ‘walk and talk’ initiatives in the borough, as well as commissioned services around VAWG advocacy and work within the community. 

This was followed by a Q&A with the audience, which is captured below:

Questions raised regarding presentation

·        It was noted that a comparison of Kilburn to the rest of the borough in terms of VAWG was skewed by the data and instances around the Kilburn High Road, which did not represent the area as a whole.

·        In response to a resident question around under reporting of instances of VAWG, the Community Safety Team highlighted national campaigns such as ‘Ask Angela’ as well as working with commissioned providers to enable creative and safe ways for people to report any incidents.

·        Responding to a question around which crimes constituted as VAWG, the Community Safety Team explained that VAWG was an umbrella term which covered certain crimes, whilst others did not fall under the VAWG label.

·        A point was raised by a resident around multi gender toilets and the safeguarding risk this could potentially pose. This was specifically in relation to toilets in ASDA supermarket, as well as the Kilburn Community Centre. The Director of Communities clarified that Brent Council were only responsible for the management of public toilets, and the locations referenced were not covered by the council.

·        A resident expressed the importance of women’s safety, particularly in Kilburn. It was highlighted that the area as a whole needed to be well kept and safe in order to ensure women could be safe in the area.

Action

Community Engagement to share slides to attendees and pass any enquiries to the relevant council department

3

The Budget Plan – Ravinder Jassar, Deputy Director of Finance

Ravinder Jassar presented the item, which detailed the financial forecast and draft budget plan for 2023/2024. A summary of the Council’s budget was provided, explaining that Central Government spending had gradually been reducing since 2010. To that end, it was highlighted that two thirds of the upcoming budget would be protected for spending around Adult Social Care and Children’s Services. It was then explained how the levelling up agenda was affecting funding for London councils.

In closing, it was updated that the consultation on the budget would run until 31 January.

Questions raised regarding presentation

·        In response to a resident question around Wembley Park developments and revenue generation, it was updated that assets in this area were making a positive impact in revenue generation for the council.

·        A resident expressed that it was important to people in the area that Libraries were protected as part of budget cuts, as well as Early Years and activities for children.

·        Another resident welcomed Ravinder Jassar’s presentation for its transparency, whilst expressing concern at the amount of council services which were funded by Council Tax revenue.

Action

-        Community Engagement to share slides with the audience and posted link to the consultation for the budget plan in the chat.

4

Community Safety/Protection – Simon Egbor, ASB Nuisance & Crime Manager

The meeting was provided with an overview of work the Community Safety Team was undertaking in partnership with the police to tackle crime and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in the Kilburn area, through the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), as well as the use of new CCTV units equipped with data analysis features.

Questions raised regarding presentation

·        A resident welcomed the work that the Crime and Nuisance team were undertaking, expressing that it was needed in the Kilburn area.

·        Another resident raised issues around South Kilburn which she felt were not being dealt with sufficiently, including incidents of dog fouling, drug dealing and litter. Simon Egbor updated that he would look into those specific issues outside of the meeting.